How are previous Super Bowl champions going to fare in the upcoming season?

February 24, 2025

The Kansas City Chiefs have taken the lead in Super Bowl conversations in recent years. Other regular faces include the Eagles and San Francisco 49ers. Will the 2025 NFL season continue with the dominance of familiar teams in the playoffs or introduce new contenders to the championship game?

The exact players that each team will have in 2025 remains unknown at this point. The results of NFL free agency and the upcoming league draft will shape which championship contenders will strengthen their title pursuits and which teams may experience a decline. But it’s never too early to predict how teams will manage in the 2025 season. Here’s a look at previous Super Bowl champions and their chances in the upcoming season.

Philadelphia Eagles (2018 and 2025 Super Bowl champions)

The Eagles have moved their team roster from older players to young players with strong potential, particularly in the defense. The Eagles face free agency decisions for their main defenders and might need defensive reinforcements, depending on March outcomes. The rest of their key players remain relatively young and bound to the team for a minimum of two years, and should be prepared to compete for the championship again.

Howie Roseman needs to make several important choices, including the decision on Baun’s lucrative contract extension. The primary focus remains making smart roster decisions to support the existing team foundation while prolonging their championship aspirations. This team should be ready to go again and bookmakers agree.

Baltimore Ravens (1971, 2001 and 2013 Super Bowl champions)

Despite another unsatisfactory playoff exit, the Ravens maintain a strong position as they approach the 2025 season. In 2024, the Ravens had arguably the NFL’s most talented team roster. Lamar Jackson showed his top-tier quarterback abilities during regular-season games, despite being criticized for his playoff performance and ball security. Jackson achieved the highest PFF overall grade of 94.9 and the second-best PFF passing grade of 93.3 for quarterbacks for the 2024 NFL season.

The Ravens also decided to keep offensive coordinator Todd Monken after his successful work to improve their passing game in 2024. But the offensive line requires primary attention this spring, as both Ronnie Stanley and Patrick Mekari enter free agency. The expected comeback of Derrick Henry will strengthen an offensive unit that is expected to return to being one of the top units in the league. The Ravens remain one of the teams to look out for in the 2025 season.

Kansas City Chiefs (1970, 2020,2023 and 2024 Super Bowl champions)

The Chiefs maintain a highly talented team roster, despite their Super Bowl LIX defeat. They begin their offseason with multiple key players approaching free agency. RG Trey Smith and LB Nick Bolton stand out as the most noteworthy players who have exceeded expectations and would attract considerable interest in the free agent market if the Chiefs release them. The future of Travis Kelce also hangs in the balance as he considers retirement options.

General manager Brett Veach has indicated that free agency would function as their draft strategy during the offseason to acquire critical players, because of salary cap constraints and the need to retain multiple free agents. The Chiefs will remain playoff favorites as long as they maintain Patrick Mahomes as quarterback and keep Andy Reid as head coach, but they need to make important moves to keep their lead in the AFC this offseason.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2003 and 2021 Super Bowl champions)

The Buccaneers will have another new offensive coordinator for Baker Mayfield in 2025, and their offseason will probably be fairly quiet. They have a tough decision to make on two veteran free agents: Chris Godwin and LB Lavonte David. They face limited cap space but could retain both players through restructuring.

The Buccaneers could well win the NFC South once again if they can duplicate their 2024 season performance, but they need to resolve the wide receiver position issues. Their upcoming season depends on how they manage this position, since the Falcons and Panthers look set to display stronger competition compared to previous seasons.

The Green Bay Packers (1967, 1968, 1997 and 2011 Super Bowl champions)

Expectations were pretty high for the Packers to excel in 2024 because their young wide receivers showed promise in the 2023 season. But the anticipated success did not reach fruition. There are now concerns about whether the team has reached its peak potential, which could be problematic for Green Bay’s future prospects.

The chances of the Green Bay to win the Super Bowl appear slim but their odds on silverware to clinch the NFC Championship seem much stronger. Fans who want to back the Packers could win their bets if the Lions and Vikings experience some form of decline. The NFC North division remains wide open for the 2025 season but the Detroit Lions continue to be the top choice to win the division. The Packers will have to compete against teams like the Lions alongside the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers must make excellent changes in both offense and defense if they are to regain their previous two-year performance level.